by The Editors on March 5, 2010
Stephanie Gilmore wins again at The Roxy Pro at Snapper Rocks. Melanie Bartels was second.
“I was definitely really relaxed but kind of nervous at the same time – just a little mixture of feelings,” Gilmore said. “As defending event champ and defending world champ, I guess it put some pressure on me to win this event so it feels good to win.” . . . “It’s really tough,” Gilmore said. “They’re hungry and I think when you start off the year with not the result you were looking for, you just go into the next event even more focused and more hungry and it’s just getting harder and harder from here and then. She (Bartels) was one of the few girls really pushing us towards progressive maneuvers and really using that judging criteria to her advantage, so I’m definitely going to have to surf it up for the next events.”
We’ll go out on a limb and guess that Steph will win most of the events this year. Follow the jump for all the details. . .
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by The Editors on March 5, 2010
Today Element’s Johnny Schillereff announced that Billabong has reeled Plan B Skateboards into an “exclusive 10-year agreement” and that Plan B will be operating out of the Element headquarters in Irvine, California.
“The Billabong group’s unwavering support has helped Element blaze the trails we’ve always dreamed of,” Schillereff said. “Plan B is iconic and deep within the fabric of skateboarding and we couldn’t be happier to unite with them.”
Colin McKay agrees.
“Billabong and Element clearly understand brand building,” he said. “Danny, the team and I couldn’t be happier with the opportunity to leverage their strengths and help Plan B reach its full potential.”
Billabong knows better than most that skateboard hardgoods are a great loss leader for selling logo T’s, denim, and even shoes. Plus, we’re sure it’s going to help add a little more diversity to the Billabong mall stores that have been popping up here and there lately. Chalk up another win for Paul Naude.
[Link: Branch Distribution]
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by The Editors on March 4, 2010
Taj Burrow saved his charge for the last half of the final against South Africa’s Jordy Smith after sitting out most of the first half of the 40 minute heat of the Quiksilver Pro 2010 at Snapper Rocks. In the second 20 minutes Burrow kicked out a 7.4, followed by a 6.17, and then hammered the final shut with a 8.17 wave. Taj spent the last four minutes of the heat sitting on Jordy to make sure he could not answer back. He didn’t. Taj finished with a 15.57 to Jordy’s 12.56.
With this win Taj followed up his 2009 Pipeline Masters win with his second consecutive title on the ASP WCT tour and third consecutive contest win.
“I’m normally pretty inconsistent,” Taj said from the stage. “I’m blown away. I’m so happy right now. It’s the best feeling on earth. I don’t even know what to say. It’s so good to be in front of this huge crowd at home. I want to thank everyone, everywhere. My grandma in Arizona. It was my mom’s birthday yesterday.”
Jordy Smith had a great run, but as Bobby Martinez predicted earlier in the day: it came down to the waves. “This is my first final. I’m sorry the waves didn’t come through for all of you, but Taj got some great waves,” second place Jordy Smith said. “Congratulations Taj, you surfed a great final.”
Follow the jump for all the official ASP details. . .
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by The Editors on March 4, 2010
The United States Snowboard Association has filed suit against Go211.com owner Action Sports, Inc. after they say the company failed to pay the USSA a “$175,000 sponsorship fee, plus a 30 percent share of the defendant’s advertising rev according to a story in the Salt Lake City Tribune.
Alleging breach of contract, unjust enrichment and trademark infringement, the USSA is asking a U.S. District Court for Utah judge to award the organization monetary damages and to stop Boston-based Action Sports from displaying USSA-affiliated materials. . . . Action Sports President Sean Aruda declined to discuss details of the case, but said, “we obviously have a much different view of the facts … This is just a business disagreement they chose to escalate. . . “We’re disappointed their attorneys took this action, and we’re confident it will be settled amicably,” he added. “We would love to continue doing business with them.”
Chances of that seems kind of slim at this point.
[Link: Salt Lake City Tribune]
by The Editors on March 4, 2010
On the heels of the news that Transworld Skateboarding scribe Ben Kelly (pictured right) was promoted to the position of editor, comes the announcement that former ESPN Skateboard blogger Josh Brooks has been hired as associate editor.
Ben Kelly rolls into the promotion after working as acting editor since the death of Transworld Skateboarding editor Eric Stricker in September 2009.
“I am honored to carry the torch for former editor and dear friend Eric Stricker, and am excited for the new challenges that lay in front of me with this transition,” said Kelly. This new role enables me to engage in new opportunities through strategic edit planning, while maintaining a strong connection to our reader through the various content projects in which I am involved.”
Brooks, a former employee of drug maker Genentech, is apparently happy about his move to Transworld.
“It’s gone through many changes, but TransWorld SKATEboarding—started in 1983—has had a long history in skateboarding,” said Brooks. “It has always covered all facets of skating. . . . I’m honored to work with Skin Phillips, Ben Kelly and the rest of the edit crew to carry on that history, bring a new perspective to the amazing skate photos in the mag and improve the content on the web.”
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by The Editors on March 4, 2010
Not that we’re not getting enough Shaun White all over the rest of the world, now we get to see his bright, shining, flowing locks along with boardercross gold medalist Seth Wescott on boxes of our favorite breakfast cereal.
“It’s great being on a Wheaties box,” said White. “I remember being a kid and looking up to the guys whose faces were on these boxes and thinking how cool it was. I’m just stoked that Wheaties wanted me on the box and I can represent my sport in such a great way.”. . . “Having your very own Wheaties box is something many athletes strive for; so today it is an incredible feeling to see my box and know it represents determination, hard work and focus in a sport that’s relatively new to the winter games,” said Wescott. “To earn two consecutive gold medals means so much, and the culmination of now having a Wheaties box is the icing on the cake.”
The boxes will be available in stores beginning in April 2010.
[Link: Wheaties]
by The Editors on March 4, 2010
Mike Vallely storms the iTunes store with his newest iPhone/iPod touch video game release Do Or Die from Ratrod Studio Inc.
Mike V: Do or Die focuses on Mike’s path, passions and career. It will feature an overview of his evolution as an individual and his lifelong accomplishments in the history of skateboarding. Players start from the legendary ‘Bones Brigade’ Powell-Peralta era and can improve their skills while gaining experience to unlock exclusive game content including a selection of over one hundred items to choose from. They can customize their character, board, wheels and car.
Not sure that’s enough to hook us, but we haven’t played it. Click here for Adam Sullivan’s review or check it out for yourself.
[Link: Mike V Do Or Die]
by The Editors on March 4, 2010
Sanuk’s temporary retail experiment in Anaheim, California’s Downtown Disney is set to close when its lease expires March 14, 2010 according to a story in the Orange County Register.
Sanuk and Disney are in talks to find a new location within Downtown Disney, but nothing has been found yet, said James Crush, marketing manager for Sanuk Footwear. . . “We are working with Sanuk to develop future opportunities in Downtown Disney,” said Betsy Sanchez, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman, in a prepared statement.
The store apparently flourished in the loose-wallet tourist zone.
by The Editors on March 4, 2010
February wasn’t so bleak for core mall retailer Zumiez according to same store sales numbers released yesterday March 3, 2010.
February sales at stores open at least one year rose 11.2%. Analysts, on average, had expected same-store sales to rise 1.2%, according to Thomson Reuters. Total net sales for the four weeks ended Feb. 27 increased 19.6% to $27.6 million, said the specialty apparel retailer.
Shares were up nearly 20% this morning to over $20: a two-year high for the company due in part to a Piper Jaffray upgrade of the stock.
[Link: Market Watch]
by The Editors on March 4, 2010
Later today, if the semi-finals of the Quiksilver Pro 2010 runs at Snapper Rock, the lone Australian Taj Burrow will go up against Bobby Martinez and Dane Reynolds (pictured above) will battle Jordy Smith.
What happened to everyone else? Out in a Round 4 massacre that included Ace Buchan, Damien Hobgood, Chris Davidson, Mick Fanning, Daniel Ross, Freddy P, Kieren Perrow and Kelly Slater who got eliminated by Jordy Smith.
Follow the jump for a little more on how it all went down.
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